SAIL AWAY

If you are thinking of a Caribbean watersports adventure then St. Kitts could be your next holiday destination. Here we have selected a couple of fun options worth a try.

St. Kitts Water Sports at Cockleshell Bay is a top watersports centre offering, we are told, more tours and excursions than any other company. Experience fl yboarding, hoverboarding, kiteboarding, surfi ng, jet ski rentals, jet ski snorkel adventures, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, tubing, powered paragliding and more.

Alternatively, St. Kitts Water Safaris is located next to Vibes Beach Bar in South Frigate Bay making it the perfect place to rent jet skis, boogie boards, fl oats and snorkel gear so everyone in the group can enjoy a relaxing time at the beach or adventure in the water.

Interested in scuba diving? St. Kitts is the perfect place for scuba divers of all ages and abilities to discover everything from near-shore reefs to sub-aquatic caves where underwater visibility ranges from 30-100 feet deep, meaning crystal clear views in warm waters.

Visitors can also dive along the channel between the two sister islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. There are more than 400 shipwrecks off the shores of St. Kitts with the most popular being easily accessible to novice divers. Pro Divers is a popular dive operator on the island and can create a personalised excursion for every group. www.stkittstourism.kn/activities/diving / prodiversstkitts.com

PlainSailing.com launched a partnership with Navily (Navily.com) to help their clients make the most of their time on holiday by fi nding the nicest bays, accessing the latest weather, planning a route and helping them to choose the best anchorages.

Navily’s free service offers detailed maps of bays, anchorages and marinas which are then coupled with approved reviews, photos and ratings. However, it is Navily’s premium service, which PlainSailing.com customers will get for free as part of their booking, that can make a sailing holiday even more plain sailing: including using the latest weather data, quick and simple plotting of routes and distances and booking a berth in a marina (at a growing number of marinas).

In further news from the yacht and catamaran charter experts, they have smashed their target to become carbon neutral by 2023. PlainSailing.com now have a carbon negative footprint whereby they take out more carbon from the atmosphere than they create. This has been achieved by, for example, using solar lighting and running servers on renewable energy. PlainSailing.com

Soneva’s luxurious 23m yacht in the Maldives combines luxurious hospitality with the freedom of a private charter on the expansive and serene Indian Ocean.

Soneva in Aqua invites guests to embark on a secluded seven-night adventure around the Maldives archipelago, discovering an array of watersports, delicious cuisine from a personal chef, time to rejuvenate and recentre with yoga and treatments with the on board wellness therapist. Days can also be spent snorkelling off Turtle Reef, exploring underwater marine life, taking to the sea on the Dolphin Glider to swim alongside pods of dolphins or exploring secluded Maldivian islands such as Goidhoo. An array of aquatic activities including stand-up paddleboarding, sustainable fi shing, surfi ng and kayaking can be arranged too. soneva.com

Image: Dream Yacht Charter

Be your own captain sailing in the places you have always dreamed of on board a Dream Yacht Charter monohull or catamaran with a bareboat yacht charter. You will be able do whatever you what, whenever you want… Dream Yacht Charter have more than 60 destinations which allow you to explore archipelagos, lagoons and more with your friends and family. Here are some tips they have shared to help with the cost of your bareboat charter.  Choose an older yacht – Choose an older yacht and you will still have an amazing holiday but your charter price with be lower than holidaying in a newer yacht.  Sail in low season – An obvious one here, but do not worry, you can still fi nd good weather even when it is not peak season. It will be cheaper and less busy too.  Longer charters – Interestingly a charter of more than three weeks might bring with it a very tempting discount..  Combine discounts – Take a look at Dream Yacht Charter’s bareboat yacht charter special offers. Combine different discounts and the savings will soon add up.  Additional costs – Be aware of local mooring fees, if any at all, and costs for your onshore activities.

Borrow-A-Boat’s Matt Ovenden shares some of the best yachting adventures to undertake this year.

Matt said: “When chartering a yacht, the key thing to consider is what kind of experience you are after, and once you have nailed this you can start to research the best locations for the kind of trip you want – whether that is sunshine and relaxation, a beginner’s guide to sailing or a more unique adventure.

“For those wanting a traditional sunshine break with a twist, popular spots include Croatia, Greece and the Balearic Islands, however looking slightly further afi eld means you will not only experience the blue skies and sunshine you are after, but you will also discover lesserknown beauty spots and wildlife in abundance.

“But for thrill seekers looking for a more out-there adventure, look to destinations like Norway, Sweden and even Scotland. Whilst they may not present the same opportunities for sunshine, instead picture an unforgettable backdrop of mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords.” Some of Matt’s suggestions include: Norway: Jaw-dropping mountains, cascading waterfalls and the chance to spot the Northern Lights make the fjords of Norway one of the best places to enjoy a boating adventure. Sail past some of Europe’s most dramatic coastline.

 Watersports – The choice of water toys is huge these days, but including them can soon add up. Perhaps take a vote and choose the most popular.  Early boarding – Check in and depart on the same day.  Delivery sailing – Experienced sailors can help charter businesses get ready for the season by sailing boats to bases. If you are fl exible, this could suit you. www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk The Galapagos Islands: 600 miles from mainland Ecuador, a sailing trip around The Galapagos Islands will see travellers taking on a true nautical adventure. Not only will you be able to visit some of the most remote and unspoilt locations in the world, but expect to see dolphins alongside your boat, whale sharks swimming by and eagle rays springing from the ocean. West Coast of Scotland: While Scotland might not immediately come to mind when you think of yachting adventures, thanks to the magnifi cent scenery there is good reason for it to be at the top of travellers’ lists. If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy daily life, look no further than a sailing trip along the West Coast. Spend a week away from all forms of civilisation and make yourself at home in a deserted anchorage. To rent your own charter visit borrowaboat.com.

FURTHER INFORMATION ■ Nautilus Yachting: www.nautilusyachting.com ■ Nisos Yacht Charter: www.nisosyachtcharter.com ■ Seafarer: www.seafarersailing.co.uk ■ BVI Charters: www.bviyachtcharters.com ■ Ocean Elements: www.ocean-elements.co.uk ■ The Moorings: www.moorings.co.uk ■ Dream Yacht Charter: www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk ■ Mallorca Yacht Charter: www.mallorcayachtcharter.eu ■ Tall Ships Youth Trust: tallships.org

• 50+ Stunning sailing grounds to explore • World’s largest, most diverse sailing fleet • Latest models from the leading brands • Bareboat, skippered, crewed or by the cabin • Excellent customer service

BOOK A CHARTER 02380 455527 sales@dreamyachtcharter.co.uk dreamyachtcharter.co.uk